Public meetings for shaping Maine's future energy plan rescheduled

by STAFF

The Governor's Energy Office has postponed its series of public meetings to seek public input on development of the Energy Planning Roadmap that advances the state of Maine's energy, economic development, and environmental goals.

An earlier version of this story, published in Mainebiz's Thursday Daily Report, had listed several meeting dates and locations. Those meetings have been postponed.

The public meetings will be rescheduled to provide the public additional notice, so more Mainers will have the opportunity to attend. Dates, times, and locations will be announced shortly.

As noted in the earlier news release published Thursday, the Governor's Energy Office is seeking input from Maine businesses and citizens as it develops an "energy planning roadmap" that advances the state of Maine's energy, economic development, and environmental goals.

Achieve energy and cost savings in the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors

Reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

Support the growth of a robust state and regional energy market and workforce.

E2Tech assisting in stakeholder hearings

The Governor's Energy Office also has sought information and recommendations from experts in the fields of energy innovation, heating and energy efficiency and transportation. It will be facilitating a series of public meetings over the next few weeks with the assistance the Environmental & Energy Technology Council of Maine, commonly referred to as E2Tech.

"The State of Maine has the fifth highest energy expenditures per person in the United States, so getting Maine's energy policy right is of critical importance," Angela Monroe, deputy director of the Governor's Energy Office, said in a news release. "The Governor's Energy Office encourages Maine's citizens and businesses to participate in its regional stakeholder meetings, so that their voices can be heard as we work to develop a Roadmap for Maine's energy policies going forward."

Jeff Marks, executive director of E2Tech, agreed that input from all stakeholders is important in crafting that roadmap.

"Input from Maine's energy stakeholders is a critical component of this project," he said. "In addition to engaging businesses, municipalities, nonprofits, policymakers, and other energy professionals, we want to ensure that the general public has the opportunity to contribute to the Maine Energy Roadmap and its potential direction for the state's citizens and businesses."

The effort is supported by a State Energy Program award from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Editor's note: This updates a previous version of this story to reflect the fact that the schedule of public meetings published Thursday has been canceled.